Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BE-SAYLE', n. [Norm. ayle; Fr. aïeul, a grandfather.]

A great-grandfather. If the abatement happened on the death of one's grandfather or grandmother, a writ of ayle lieth; if on the death of the great-grandfather, then a writ of besayle; but if it mounts one degree higher, to the tresayle, or grandfather's grandfather, &c, the writ is called a writ of cosinage or de consanguineo. – Blackstone.